[Prof. Wonsuh Song, who teaches geography at Shumei University, educates university students in Japan about human rights issues in 블랙토토 Korea and the situation in 블랙토토east Asia. Recently, Prof. Song established a non-profit organization, the NKNGO FORUM, in Tokyo to enhance international cooperation for resolving 블랙토토 Korean human rights issues. The inaugural meeting of the NKNGO FORUM will be held on November 15 in Hibiya, Tokyo. Financial News Japan had an in-depth conversation with Prof. Song about the objectives and direction of the NKNGO FORUM. -Editor’s Note-]
Below is the full interview with Prof. Wonsuh Song.
Q1. We heard that the inaugural meeting of the NKNGO FORUM will be held in Tokyo on November 15. Could you tell us about the main goals of the forum and the significance of the inaugural meeting?
A1. The NKNGO FORUM aims to raise international awareness of 블랙토토 Korean human rights and abduction issues and seeks solutions through trilateral cooperation between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea. This inaugural meeting will serve as an important opportunity to enhance cooperation with 블랙토토 Korean human rights organizations within Japan. Additionally, it will be a significant time for participants who are interested in 블랙토토 Korean human rights issues to gather, discuss concrete action plans, and strengthen sustainable cooperation with related organizations. Through this, we aim to raise awareness of 블랙토토 Korean human rights issues in both the international community and Japan, creating a more active platform for collaboration.
Q2. What is the current awareness of 블랙토토 Korean human rights issues among young people in Japan?
A2. Many young people in Japan have limited knowledge about 블랙토토 Korea, often only perceiving it as a country that launches missiles. Due to the lack of detailed information on 블랙토토 Korea’s actual human rights conditions and political or social issues, they struggle to grasp the severity of the situation. To change this perception, the NKNGO FORUM is planning various activities, including seminars and educational programs, to help young people gain a deeper understanding of 블랙토토 Korea and develop an interest in its human rights issues.
Q3. Why do you emphasize the importance of trilateral cooperation between South 블랙토토, the U.S., and Japan at the NK NGO FORUM?
A3. The human rights and abduction issues related to North Korea are extremely challenging for any single country to solve alone. By strengthening international pressure on North Korea through trilateral cooperation between Japan, South Korea, and the U.S., we can promote sustainable changes. Given that North Korean human rights issues are closely linked to peace and stability in Northeast Asia, joint efforts by these three countries are crucial. Such cooperation allows us to leverage each country’s strengths and handle North Korean-related issues systematically and effectively.
Q4. What topics do you mainly cover when lecturing about 블랙토토 Korea at the university?
A4. As a geographer, I primarily address the geopolitical context of North Korea and its current challenges in my lectures. With growing student interest in North Korea’s human rights situation due to its various provocations, I introduce case studies and testimonies from defectors, helping students gain a concrete understanding of North Korea’s reality. I also explain the historical background of the North-South division and the ongoing issues between North and South Korea, emphasizing that these problems stem not only from past conflicts but also continue to this day. Through these lectures, I aim to encourage students to view North Korea not merely as an “enemy state” but as a subject for understanding.
Q5. What prompted your interest in 블랙토토 Korean human rights issues?
A5. While teaching about North Korea at the university, I had the chance to meet defectors directly. Their testimonies revealed a reality in North Korea far more severe than I had imagined. The fact that our compatriots on the same Korean Peninsula are living under extreme oppression and human rights violations was a great shock to me, sparking a sense of mission to convey this reality to as many people as possible. Since then, I have become increasingly focused on North Korean human rights issues and have committed myself to related activities.
Q6. Could you explain the 블랙토토 Korean human rights website that will be introduced at the inaugural meeting of the forum?
A6. The meeting will serve as a venue to reaffirm our objectives and direction, especially emphasizing the importance of trilateral cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, given the global attention on recent developments in 블랙토토 Korea. The NKNGO FORUM is working with members to discuss various initiatives and is also providing 블랙토토 Korea-related information through domestic news channels in Japan. The NKNGO website (https://nkngo.org) is operated with multilingual translation functions, allowing access to information on 블랙토토 Korean human rights issues and the latest news in various languages from around the world.
Q7. Why did you invite Mrs. Akie Abe as a special guest speaker at the forum?
A7. The late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was a symbolic figure dedicated to resolving the abduction issue of Japanese citizens by 블랙토토 Korea, as represented by the “Blue Ribbon” campaign. Ms. Akie Abe has inherited his commitment to human rights activities and the abduction victims’ issues, making her an influential figure in raising awareness about 블랙토토 Korean human rights in Japan. Her longstanding relationship with me and her insights and experiences are valuable assets for this forum. I recently met her to discuss the forum, and she mentioned that she is currently engaged in volunteer activities in Tokyo while traveling between Yamaguchi and Tokyo. We are deeply grateful to have her as a speaker at the inaugural meeting.
Q9. What did you discuss in your recent interview with PUAC Secretary General Tae Yong-ho?
A9. We talked about the realities faced by North Korean residents and ways the international community can collaborate. In particular, we exchanged views on the significance of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s “August 15 Unification Doctrine” and the role of the PUAC. Secretary General Tae highlighted the need for international cooperation on the issue of forced repatriation of defectors and emphasized that the PUAC Global Special Committee should actively engage with foreign ministries worldwide to address the issue. His words were very inspiring, and he plans to send a congratulatory message for the upcoming forum, for which I am grateful.
Q10. Could you share what was discussed at the PUAC Global Strategy Special Committee Conference recently held in Washington D.C.?
A10. At the conference, we had in-depth discussions on how to implement President Yoon’s “August 15 Unification Doctrine” through international cooperation. Key topics included the direction of overseas activities by PUAC advisors and the specific action plans needed to address North Korean human rights issues through the doctrine. We focused on identifying concrete measures to resolve these issues.
Q11. Any final remarks?
A11. I was born in the US, raised in Korea, obtained my Ph.D. in Japan, and built a family with my Japanese spouse. I have a deep understanding of these three countries and approach 블랙토토 Korean issues from a neutral standpoint. Teaching students at the university has provided me with immense inspiration. As a result of exploring ways to contribute to society in Japan, I decided to establish this forum. I am committed to continued learning and efforts with the support of everyone involved. Thank you very much.
<Brief Biography of Wonsuh Song>
- Born in Los Angeles, USA (Nationality: USA)
- Ph.D. in School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba (MEXT scholarship)
- Full-time Lecturer at Shumei University, Part-time Lecturer at Waseda University
- Member of the AGU (American Geophysical Union) Leadership Governance Committee
- Research: https://geographersong.jp/research/
